Welcome to Number 16, the fun website that is all about words, language and literature. It is named after my favourite number. I am Joanne Madden and I'm from Toronto, Canada. To find out what I have written on any topic, use the search box directly below. For TV trivia, please check my other website, TV Banter (www.tvbanter.net).

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Tuesday, October 12, 2010

I realize also that I share this honour with many friends and colleagues who have worked with me for the promotion of peace and good understanding between peoples. I am grateful for the opportunities I have been given to participate in that work as a representative of my country, Canada, whose people have, I think, shown their devotion to peace.

(From Lester Bowles Pearson's Acceptance Speech, on the occasion of the award of the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, Norway, December 10, 1957)

ON THIS DAY

On October 12, 1957, Lester B. Pearson (Prime Minister of Canada from 1963 to 1968) brought honour and pride to this country. 53 years ago today, Pearson was informed that he had won the Nobel Peace Prize and remains the only Canadian to have done so. Pearson earned the prize for creating the United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF) to help bring peace in Egypt following the Suez Crisis.

The Suez conflict arose In July of 1956 when Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser took control of the Suez Canal which connects the Mediterranean and Red seas. This was a setback for Western pride and commerce. As a result, Britain, France and Israel secretly agreed to take action against Egypt. Israel attacked in late October and Britain and France ordered Israel and Egypt to retreat from the immediate area of the canal. When Nasser refused, Britain and France bombed the Canal Zone. To solve the crisis, Lester Pearson proposed the world’s first ever peacekeeping force at the UN General Assembly. Using his network of connections and his years of diplomatic experience, he succeeded in persuading the world assembly to create this UN peacekeeping force.

During his tenure as prime minister, Lester Pearson never presided over a majority government. He led two successive minority governments. Yet, Parliament worked and much was achieved. During the Pearson years, his minority governments introduced universal health care, student loans, the Canada Pension Plan, the Order of Canada and the current Canadian Maple Leaf flag. Person also convened over the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism. That’s not too shabby a list of accomplishments for two minority governments, is it? (Take note, Stephen Harper) Minority government can work quite effectively, albeit with the right prime minister.

To listen to Lester Pearson speak about his Nobel Peace Prize, click the link below.

I spent yesterday afternoon enjoying the fall colours at the Forks of the Credit Provincial Park, near Caledon, Ontario. If you have an opportunity to go there, especially in the autumn, I highly recommend it. Here is a photo I took there.

NUMBER 16: FEATURED PHOTOS AND ART

TODAY IS SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2019.

CLIMATE CRISIS: TIME IS RUNNING OUT. THE AMAZON RAINFOREST ON FIRE, HURRICANE DORIAN, WHAT NEXT?

Climate change is real. It is not a hoax. It has been scientifically proven. The world must come together and deal with it decisively before it is too late. The hurricanes, floods and wildfires are becoming more frequent and more destructive. The clock is ticking. (Click on image above).

DONALD TRUMP

The United States and the rest of the world cannot afford another four years of this man. Return America to decency. The Oath of Allegiance is to the United States, not to Trump. Americans, if you are undecided, don't vote for another four years of racism, locking kids in cages, misogyny, lying, bullying, gun violence, criminality and obstruction of justice, harming the environment and ignoring climate change, no minimum wage increases for workers, no health insurance for millions and tax breaks for billionaires..

About Me

I am a native of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. For many years, I worked as a researcher and archivist at the Toronto Star, the largest newspaper in Canada. I like to share my interest in trivia, television, current events, politics, movies, quotes etc.